Process of preparing carbid of calcium.



Xi HERME. PROCESS OF PREPARING UARBID OF CALCIUM. APPLIOATIOR FILED mm: 1a, 1908.

. 913,887. Patented Mar. 2, 1909.

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XAVIER HERINIE, OF FRUITVALE, CALIFORNIA.

PROCESS OF PREPARING CARE-ID OF CALCIUM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March 2, 1909.

Application filed June 13, 1908. Serial No. 433.409.

in the process of preparing carbid of calcium for use in the generation of acetylene gas. I am aware that a process has been heretofore employed for overcoming the defects of common carbid of calcium being very sensitive to dampness or moisture, and leaving as a residuum a layer of moist and solid lime which cannot pass through the openings of the receptacle containing the carbid as used in the production of the gas, by which conditions the development of such gas is continued long after the carbid ceases to be in direct contact with the water, but I am not aware that a process has been ever invented or employed prior to my invention for the production of a material free from said defects capable upon submersion of creating a gas giving a high percentage of light immediately upon such submersion. It is the object of my. invention to first treat the carbid in the manner hereinafter set forth to remove said defects. By the use of carbid so treated one may obtain a high percentage of light by the submersion thereof in the usual manner, the same resulting in the production of ninety per cent. of light from a given quantityiof the material, whereas said process hereto fore employed results in the production of but forty per cent; of light therefrom and this in a period approximating five minutes after submersion, besides such quantity of the material treated by my process has not the tendency to form into a single lump or mass which condition has heretofore been encountered in the practice of said process.

My invention consists in employing the particular proportions and steps of the process herein set forth by which I obtain the new result set forth. To perform said process most expeditiously I proceed in the following manner, to-wit: I first place one pound of powdered sugar in the rotary drum shown in the accompanying drawing to absorb the moisture WhlCllIS therein attracted from the atmosphere; secondly, I place therein a given quantity of carbid of calcium, say one hundred pounds thereof, either in the form of particles or of any size such as sold commercially, thirdly, I place therein one-fourth of a pound of refined petroleum such as kerosene, gasolenc, or machine oil or a like substance, the same being poured over the carbid to give it some moisture to absorb the second quantity of powdered sugar which I now place therein, the quantity being one pound thereupon four and one-half pounds of glucose, heated to the boiling point, in liquid form is poured in the drum, the coalescence of the glucose, sugar and carbid being effected; lastly, two and one-half pounds of powdered sugar are added to the mixture to dry the carbid after the agitation of the contents of the drum by its revolution to the necessary extent to effect the coalescence mentioned, the revolution being resumed so that each piece or particle of carbid will contact with the sugar at all points, the object of the drying being to prevent each piece or particle mentioned from adhering to any other. As I have found lime to be unburnable in the generation of the gas I therefore prefer not to use the same, as well as other dead matter. Although the treatment of the carbid is most successfully performed by the use of said drum, it may be dispensed with and the mixing or agitation accomplished by placing the elements in an open vessel, the stirring or agitation being effected by any suitable implement. I have described the treatment of one hundred pounds of carbid, but if it be desired to so treat a greater or lesser quantity thereof the quantity of the other elements should be increased or decreased proportionately.

In accomplishing my process I use substantially in connection with one hundred parts of carbid, four and one-half parts of sugar, four and onehalf arts of glucose and one-fourth of one part 0" an oily substance, which may be petroleum, machine oil, or a like material. After the carbid has been treated as hereinbefore set forth, it is submerged in the usual receptacle for the generation of the gas.

In the drawing of the mixing device, which although not indispensable, I prefer to use in carrying out my process, A represents a revolving drum containing the treating chamber, access to which is gained through the door 2. 3 is the revolving shaft secured to the drum A and 5 is a bearing for said shaft. 4 is an arm supporting said bearing 5.

Ihe parts are shown in Figures 1 and 2 of said drawing, Fig. 1 being an outside view or elevation of said device, and Fig. 2 being a central vertical section of the bearing with part of the drum cut away to show the treating chamber therein containing the carbid, iiq he shaft 3 and arm 4 being shown as in In the preparation of said carbid the elements are agitated as each successive ingredient is introduced.

By the application of the elements mentioned to the prepared carbid, I secure the thorough absorption of the elements and coating of the carbid free from any dead matter, thereby promoting the brilliancy and strength of the light obtained through my process.

In carrying out my said process the several quantities of the substances used therein may be considered as arts instead of pounds.

Having thus descri ed my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by 'Letters Patent, is:

l. The process of preparing car-bid of calcium which consists in placing the following substances in a receptacle in the order mentioned, namely: sugar, carbid, a refined oily substance, sugar, glucose in liquid form heated to the boiling point, agitating the substances so placed, and thereupon placing an additional amount of sugar in said receptacle and continuing said agitation.

2. A process of preparing carbid of calcium consisting in treating a given quantity of said material in a receptacle by placing therein successively one pound of powdered sugar, one hundred pounds of said carbid, one fourth of one pound of refined petroleum, one pound of said sugar, four and one half pounds of glucose heated to the boiling point, agitating the substances so placed, then lacing therein two and onehalf pounds of powdered sugar, and resuming the said agitation.

3. A process of preparing carbid of calcium which consists in placing successively in a receptacle one part of powdered sugar, one hundred pounds of said carbid, onefourth of one part of refined petroleum, one part of said sugar, four and one half parts of glucose heated to the boiling point, agitating the substances so placed, then placing therein two and one half parts of said sugar, and resuming said agitation.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

XAVIER HERME.

Witnesses F. E. FARMER, OHAs. T. STANLEY. 

